Thursday, June 26, 2008

All Roads Lead to Ateneo

I am making a survey about the route of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Davao. As I was told by a Jesuit when I first arrived in Davao way back 1993 that all PUJs passed by the University. So he told me if I would be lost to just take any PUJ and tell the driver to drop me at Ateneo/near Ateneo.

I do not know if at present this is still true.

I intend to design a shirt for the Jubilee Year of the University (60 Years) with a title: "ALL ROADS LEAD TO ATENEO".

I know the following:
- Obrero jeeps pass Jacinto
- Mintal, Toril, Calinan PUJs pass Roxas Avenue
- Sasa, Bajada and Panacan jeeps pass the Acacia area
- Matina jeeps pass the Uyanguren/ Claveria area
- ACDC jeeps pass by Jacinto or Claveria

Any comment will be appreciated.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

ATENEO DE ILOILO (ADI) TASK FORCE FRANK

ATENEO DE ILOILO (ADI) TASK FORCE FRANK

Typhoon Frank left thousands of families in Iloilo and Panay Region homeless. Accordingly, this is the worst disaster that has ever struck the region. As early as Saturday morning, June 21, reports came in from different towns and barangays of flash floods leaving entire barangays submerged. Many people evacuated their homes to seek refuge in churches, schools and other makeshift evacuation centers. Still many others remain trapped in their homes and waiting for rescue. Rescue efforts have been hampered by damaged bridges and roads. As of Monday morning, recorded death toll has reached more than 100. Most parts of the region have no electricity and water. Food and water are badly needed especially in worst hit towns and barangays.

In view of the emergency situation, we are pleading for your assistance for our brothers and sisters in Iloilo and Panay. We are in need of food, especially canned goods, clothing, and water. We will coordinate the distribution of goods with the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center. Donations may be sent to:

Ateneo de Iloilo – Santa Maria Catholic School
c/o Fr. Manny Uy, S.J. or Bro. Arthur Nebrao, S.J.
139 General Blanco St., Iloilo City
Tel. (033) 337-5532; (033) 338-2245
Fax. (033) 336-2903
Email: anebrao@gmail.com

Cash donations will be greatly appreciated. You may also send your cash donations through:

Banco de Oro (BDO)
Iloilo SM Delgado Branch
Account Name: ADI TASK FORCE FRANK
Account Number: 0710515588

Let us continue to pray for the countless victims of Iloilo and Panay Region. Thank you for your generosity.

TASK FORCE BULIG

Ateneo de Davao University
Jacinto St., Davao City

TASK FORCE BULIG
For Panay Island

Typhoon FRANK (International Codename: Fengsen) caused vast damage to lives, properties and livelihood of our follow countrymen over the weekend. Latest reports said that the number of casualties had been increasing. Damages were greatly felt in some regions where the actual path of the typhoon crossed. Almost all of the provinces of Iloilo, Antique, Aklan and Capiz were submerged in water. People are still stranded on top of the roofs of their houses for two days now in some towns of Iloilo and Antique. Other areas of the Western Visayas are also calling for aid.

General Information:

As of 23 June 2008:
• 10,000 families (40,000 individuals) affected of 20 provinces, 10,000 families are in 275 evacuation centers and increasing.
• Under State of Calamity: Provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Masbate. Cities of Iloilo, Roxas, Zamboanga (selected areas).
• NDCC: Floods, storm surge and landslides mostly in the Visayas and Southern Tagalog have affected 366,444 people. Of the total number of affected people, 182,686 were in the Western Visayas, including 155,005 in Antique province alone.
• Stranded 5,095 passengers, 288 rolling cargo, 90 trucks, 59 passenger buses, 48 small vehicles, and eight sea vessels.

Iloilo Facts
• Philippine National Red Cross; based on field reports from PNRC staff, the death toll had reached 229, with 101 reported in Iloilo alone.
• Iloilo Gov. Neil Tupas earlier said 59 people drowned in the province while another 40 were missing. “Almost all the towns are covered by water. It’s like an ocean,” Tupas said, adding thousands have been displaced in the province that is home to 1.7 million people.
• Health Secretary Francisco Duque also said he received reports that the Aniway District Hospital in Iloilo, was submerged in floodwaters as deep as six feet.
• Almost all of Iloilo’s 42 towns and this city, including those that had not previously experienced flooding, were under water according to Jerry Bionat, Executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC).
• Power outrage reported in Iloilo City; including Odiongan town, Romblon and Antique Province

DONATION MECHANISM

GOODS
You may directly donate your goods: ready-to-eat goods, clothing, water at Alumni Affairs Office (Finster Hall, Roxas Avenue) or Social Involvement Coordinating Office (Del Rosario Hall), Ateneo de Davao University, Jacinto St., Davao City
Contact Person : Ms. Theresa S. Eliab or Fr. Renato C. Ocampo S.J.
Trunkline : (82) 221.2411 local 8329 or 8353


CASH/CHECK
Direct deposits may be made to:

United Coconut Planters Bank
UCPB Account Name: Ateneo de Davao University - Paymate
UCPB Account No.: 417-103300-8
Use Bills Payment Slip and indicate Task Force Bulig

One Network Bank
ONB Account Name: Ateneo de Davao University
ONB Account No.: 21-00005-5
Use Deposit Slip and indicate Task Force Bulig

Or channel to:

Social Involvement Coordinating Office
Ateneo de Davao University
Jacinto St., Davao City
Landline: (82) 221.2411 local 8329 or 8353
Telefax: (82) 226.4116
Text : SICO FEEDBACK YOUR MESSAGE and send to 700ADDU
Web : www.addu.edu.ph
Look for : Magay

For proper acknowledgement:
- Please fax a copy of the validated deposit slip to SICO (82) 226.4116
- Kindly indicate contact information: Name, address, email, landline/mobile
- Those who wish to be anonymous may skip this procedure

Donations will be sent to the victims through Ateneo de Iloilo-Sta Maria High School.

Drink, Don't Drive

Davao Traffic Advisory

When the Bankerohan bridge closed due to construction, the government (either the City's Engineer's Office or the TMC) placed traffic advisories in Ulas Bridge and in GSIS Matina-Ecoland Crossing (Quimpo Blvd-McArthur Highway Corssing). The signage informed the motorists of the volume of traffic passing through Bankerohan and suggested to take either the Diversion Road or the Ecoland route. When the new Bankerohan bridge opened, the riding public from the south heaved a sigh. First week of classes was fine for students coming from Toril or Matina -- a good 15-20 mins drive to downtown.

Yesterday, motorists and the riding public were surprised to to know that the end of the Bankerohan bridge going downtown was closed, traffic was rerouted to a side road going to Magallanes Street. There were no advisories nor announcement along Quimpo-McArthur that volume of traffic along Bankerohan was heavy. Many were stuck along McArthur highway (from NCCC to Bankerohan) for 1-2 hours! The traffic enforcers knew all along that the traffic volume was heavy -- yet no signage telling motorists along Matina about the jam. The poor drivers were entering a trap, they only found out when they got to Bankerohan after 2 hours wait under the gruelling heat of the sun.

My one million dollar question: who's responsibility is it to give the riding public traffic advisories and suggest alternative route?


Friday, June 06, 2008

Sa Mata ng Bata




WHAT IS THE PROPER AGE TO GET MARRIED?

"Eighty-four, because at that age, you don't have to work anymore, and you can spend all your time loving each other in your bedroom." (Judy, 8)

"Once I'm done with kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife." (Tom, 5)

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

"On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date." (Mike, 10)

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

"You should never kiss a girl unless you have enough bucks to buy her a big ring and her own VCR, 'cause she'll want to have videos of the wedding." (Jim, 10)

"Never kiss in front of other people. It's a big embarrassing thing if anybody sees you. But if nobody sees you, I might be willing to try it with a handsome boy,
but just for a few hours." (Kally, 9)

THE GREAT DEBATE: IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

"It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need somebody to clean up after them." (Lynette, 9)

"It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." (Kenny, 7)

CONCERNING WHY LOVE HAPPENS BETWEEN TWO PARTICULAR PEOPLE?

"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." (Jan, 9)

"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." (Harlen, 8)

ON WHAT FALLING IN LOVE IS LIKE?

"Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." (Roger, 9)

"If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." (Leo, 7)

ON THE ROLE OF GOOD LOOKS IN LOVE?

"If you want to be loved by somebody who isn't already in your family, it doesn't hurt to be beautiful." (Jeanne, 8)

"It isn't always just how you look. Look at me. I'm handsome like anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." (Gary, 7)

"Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a long time." (Christine, 9)

CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS?

"They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." (Dave, 8)

CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE?

"I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when 'The Simpsons' is on television." (Anita, 6)

"Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I have been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." (Bobby, 8)

"I'm not rushing into being in love - I'm finding fourth grade hard enough." (Regina, 10)

THE PERSONAL QUALITIES NECESSARY TO BE A GOOD LOVER?

"One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." (Ava, 8)

SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU?

"Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores." (Del, 6)

"Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love." (Alonzo, 9)

"One way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it's something she likes to eat. French fries usually works for me." (Bart, 9)

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF TWO ADULTS EATING DINNER AT A RESTAURANT ARE IN LOVE?

"Just see if the man picks up the check. That's how you can tell if he's in love." (John, 9)

"Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will get cold. Other people care more about the food." (Brad, 8)

"It's love if they order one of those desserts that are on fire. they like to order those because it's just like how their hearts are on fire." (Christine, 9)